Blackawton lies in South Hams between Totnes and Dartmouth. It is considered a historic, farming village where people still work and live. Several themes come together for a stay: the Church of St Michael, with parts dating from several centuries, an annual village festival, and links to cycling and walking routes. The Community Shop is also a useful landmark in the village. This helps you decide whether local history, village life or outdoor activities will shape your stay in Blackawton.
Church and local history
The Church of St Michael is a listed building with the highest level of protection, Grade I. The font dates from the 12th century, and the chancel from the 14th century. There is also a rood screen from the early 16th century, which has retained much of its original colour. The church therefore brings together elements from several centuries: the font is the oldest of the items mentioned, while the chancel and rood screen represent later periods. For travellers interested in church architecture, this sequence offers a concrete connection to local history rather than focusing on a single period.
Flint scatters and burial mounds suggest that Blackawton was inhabited long before the birth of Christ. In the Domesday Book of 1086, the place is recorded under the name Avetona. These two pieces of evidence relate to different periods: the archaeological traces support the interpretation of early settlement, while the medieval entry records a year and a historical name. The village's later history is also closely connected with agriculture: for almost 1,000 years, Blackawton remained essentially a farming community.
Village life and events
The Blackawton Community Shop is on the village's main street, opposite the church and right next to the George Inn. It is considered well stocked; check its opening hours before travelling. Its range includes locally made sourdough bread and other speciality breads, although the selection may change. The shop is therefore a landmark between the church and the inn, as well as a concrete example of local shopping options.
A special event in the village is the annual Worm Charming Festival. If you would like to plan your trip around the event, check the dates and details for the relevant year, as they may change. The festival can give you a reason to plan a visit to Blackawton for a particular time, but no fixed event date can be assumed.
Cycling, walking and getting there
Blackawton is on the Sustrans national cycle route, Route 2. Check the latest route details before setting off on a cycling trip. Information about walking routes in Blackawton is available on MyLocalPaths, the Devon County Council website. Walking routes often offer beautiful views over Start Bay; whether the bay is visible depends on the weather and the time of year. The cycle route and walking trails therefore involve different planning considerations: for cycling, the current route is what matters, while views of Start Bay on walks may vary with the weather and season.
The nearest bus stop to Blackawton is at Woodlands Leisure Park. If you are planning to travel by bus, check the latest Devon transport information before relying on a particular connection.
Discover more destinations: Combe Martin, Barnstaple, Lifton, Uffculme, Ilfracombe, Exminster, East Portlemouth, Plympton.
For the main travel overview: Devon.
